THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 15 
Exportation of Humble-bees to New Zealand.—Some 
months ago J was waited upon by a gentleman who gave me 
to understand that he called by desire of Mr, Frank Buckland 
to ask my advice as to the best method to be adopted in 
order to introduce some species of our humble-bees into 
New Zealand, the object being the fertilisation of the seeds 
of red clover, there being no bee in the colony whose tongue 
is long enough to effect that purpose. After some considera- 
tion of the matter 1 gave my opinion, and I still adhere to it. 
I have been greatly surprised by reading an extract from 
‘Nature’ of the 14th of October last, by which I learn that 
Mr. Frank Buckland has sent two nests of humble-bees, 
packed in their own nests in two boxes, under the charge of 
4 a member of the New Zealand Council,—I suppose of the 
' Canterbury Acclimatisation Society. I should be glad to 
5 hear of the success of this undertaking, but for several 
f reasons | am of opinion that the result will prove an utter 
failure: be that as it may, I wish it to be distinctly under- 
stood that the method adopted is not one of my recommend- 
q ing. On reading that “the bees were packed in their own 
’ nests,” I conclude the species was one of the surface-builders 
‘ —“ moss-builders” they are usually erroneously called, since 
the majority of the nests of these bees have little or no moss 
used in their construction. The species is not particularised, 
but I may, | think, safely conclude that it was Bombus Mus- 
~_ corum or B. senilis. These are not such hardy species as 
‘ some of those that construct their nests under ground, and 
__ therefore not species I should recommend for exportation. 
The surface-building bees found in Great Britain are seven 
in number, and all these finish their labours and disappear 
several weeks before the hardier species. The nests sent 
would, I presume, contain male, female, and worker bees, 
My observations of humble-bees have extended over thirty- 
five years, and | believe that the impregnation of females 
never takes place in the nest; | also believe that it always 
takes place in the open air, and that no impregnated female 
ever returns to the nest. When this act has taken place, the 
female, in my opinion, at once seeks for a suitable hyber- 
naculum in which to pass the winter, I therefore conclude 
that none of the females in the nests sent are impregnated, 
and I anticipate that the broods will perish on the voyage; 
or, if by great care any arrive at New Zealand, it will only 
